My indy recently raised the price from $90 to $120. They charge $90/hour. His explanation had something to do with the shop now using a different procedure manual w different "rates", etc...I guess they changed the book from which they get their "book rates".
Different companies sell those "Flat Rate" Manuals. Depending on which company's Flate Rate Manual you buy the Rate will be higher or lower.
So Shops by the Flate Rate Manual that give them a higher rate.
When a Customer questions the repair cost they pull the Flat Rate Manual out and point to the charge. That normally shuts the Customer up.
This works because we believe something that is written over what someone tells us.
Like the "Kelly Blue Book" on used Cars the Flate Rate Manuals are supposed to be used as a guide for Shops doing work on a Vehicle that they have never done before and do not no how long the Job will take and do not know what to charge (it also estimates how long the job would take).
Instead it has been turned into a Scam.
Nope. The closest state line is actually Mexico. Not going there. There are mechanics that charge less, but even the cheapest mechanics that might not be diesel or MB familiar will charge at least $75 or $80 an hour. I trust my indy guy to do the job right and haven't had a problem yet.
The MB dealer near me is good for parts price wise. I recently bought discs and rotors for my w203 and did the install. Parts from the dealer were about the same price as peachparts and autohausaz. However the labor rate at the dealer is $135 per hour. Marble floors and free coffee don't pay for themselves....The indy's know this and charge $90 knowing that its good business. I believe that much of the higher labor rates in SD stem from high real estate costs.
It's not so much a lack of skills. Moreso lack of space, garage, facilities, time, etc. (I don't even have a flat driveway/workspace that will allow me to put the car on stands). I can do a lot of things and have learned a ton owning a w123 for a few years. Yet, a valve job is a $120 once every couple years. Not a huge expense to me. The only major expense I've had in more than two years is a steering box replacement. Boy did I paid for that one.
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